Worship in Church for Years 1-6

Thanks to the Dassett Magna Group of Parishes, where this resource was
developed, for sharing it more widely.

An annual act of worship in church for each year group, to which parents
and carers are invited, can provide a great opportunity for children and
their families to be welcomed into the church building, and to meet the
parish priest and other church people in a smaller group than is possible
in whole-school collective worship. The children can be invited to explore
the building at the end of the service, to ask questions and generally make
themselves at home.

The service structure might include, for example:

Welcome:
[A cross, candles and flowers are given out at the start of the
service to 4 children to bring to the altar.]
We prepare for worship with the Cross, flowers and candles.
The Cross says, "Jesus loves us".
The flowers say, "We love Jesus".
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world".

Song

Confession - for example:
We tell God that we are sorry.
For the actions that have angered you, we are truly sorry. In your
mercy, Lord, forgive us.
For the words that have hurt you, we are truly sorry. In your mercy,
Lord, forgive us.
For the thoughts that have let you down, we are truly sorry. In your
mercy, Lord, forgive us.
For failure to love you with all our heart, and to love our neighbour as
ourself, we are truly sorry. In your mercy, Lord, forgive us.

Talk and prayer - see below

Song

Prayers (incl. the School prayer and Lord's prayer)

Song

Closing prayer - for example:
God our Father, we come to say
thank you for your love today.
Thank you for my family
and all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night,
and in the morning send your light.
Amen.

Blessing

Dismissal:
The candles are put out, then we say together:
Jesus said, "You are the light of the world."
Let us take his light into the world.

Talks

As the children will attend each year group service only once, you only
need one talk per year group to create an annual cycle. It can be helpful
to start with Year 6 at the beginning of the year and work down through the
year groups, so that the children in Year 1 are a little older by the time
their turn comes.